The Missouri Supreme Court and Governor Mike Parson both denied requests from Marcellus Williams to halt his scheduled execution for the 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle, a former reporter and social worker. Williams, 55, has maintained his innocence throughout the process and was convicted of stabbing Gayle over 40 times during a burglary at her St. Louis home.
Governor Parson rejected a clemency request to reduce Williams’ sentence to life in prison, while the state Supreme Court refused to pause the execution to reconsider possible racial bias in jury selection. Williams’ legal team had raised concerns about procedural issues during his trial, including the exclusion of a potential Black juror and handling of key evidence, but these arguments were rejected by the court.
In a statement, Governor Parson expressed his confidence in the original trial’s verdict, saying there was no “credible evidence of actual innocence” and that the courts had already addressed concerns raised by Williams’ defense. He emphasized that nothing had convinced him to believe Williams was innocent, leading him to proceed with the execution, scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Williams’ attorneys are also seeking an appeal from the U.S. Supreme Court, which is still pending. They argue that DNA evidence, especially concerning a butcher knife used in the crime, raises questions about his guilt. Missouri prosecutor Wesley Bell has been outspoken in questioning Williams’ guilt, stating that “the irreversible punishment of execution should not be an option when there is a shadow of doubt.”
Despite multiple legal challenges and close calls with execution in both 2015 and 2017, Williams has not been granted relief. His case continues to generate controversy, with legal advocates like the Midwest Innocence Project saying Missouri risks executing an innocent man.
Williams’ execution will mark the 100th in Missouri since 1989.
